Kratom Use in the Context of Addiction Treatment

Authors: Jack E. Henningfield, Kirsten Smith, C. Austin Zamarripa, Marion Coe, Daniel Wang

Abstract: The most recent nationally representative survey suggests a prevalence of past 30-day use of 9.1%, suggesting potentially more than 15 million Kratom users. Major surveys indicate that many people use kratom to self-manage opioid and other substance use disorders and withdrawal although prevalence estimates of this reason for use and self-reported effectiveness vary widely. This presents a conundrum for addiction treatment programs as to whether to allow or prohibit kratom use by their patients. There are also controversies in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of kratom use disorder, and kratom withdrawal even though kratom use and withdrawal disorders are not yet included in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical manual. This poster will not advocate for the use of kratom in SUD or withdrawal treatment, nor do these authors advocate for such. Rather, this poster will provide a balanced presentation of the latest findings to date addressing all of the foregoing, as well as kratom abuse potential and safety. Research priorities will also be presented.

Presented at the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine Research Symposium & Poster Session on 28 May, 2025.